St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-07-07


be salesman in country store, had
better accommodate myself to my po-
sition. The judge, even if he remem-
bered old college. friendships, wouldn't
be likely to consider me a welcome adj
ditiOn to his family circle as visitor.
He is rich and then he is said to have
very handsome and accomplished
daughter, who would, no doubt, look
butter to earn and had better cOnfine
myself to it,"
POSSIBLY you are right. But how
came your father to lose his money !
l thought he inherited a fine fortune"
eyes, sir; but he was drawn into
mourning responsibility for relative.
He is not ruined by any means, but
merely hampered, and thinks that he
will pull through in time with little
economy and prudence and | have
no doubt he will. But l am only In
his way, or would have remained"
"Have you ever thought of trying
farming 7"
"No, sir. 1 have no capital, and
know nothing of it."
ado you know more of selling gro
ceries and dry gOOdsP
"Not bit more I; but you see, l am
paid something there while learn"
"Your friend, or your acquaintance,
as you call him, goes to GrifftOn, too
does he3"
ayes, sir /; but he goes there in diff
ferent capacity. l believe he repre-
sents his father in some transaction
about property with the judge, and is
to remain there some time as guest,
until the affair is closed. Possibly as
his father wants him to marry, he may
be on tour of observation, and take
in the judges daughter. Though that
is impairment of me, for he has said
nothing to me on the subject"
"Do you think he is SO irresistible as
to be able to pick and choose at his
pleasurel9" inquired the girl, looking
quizzically over her fathers shoulder.
"He can be very fascinating when
he chooses, 1 am told" replied Boiling;
"and he is handsome, an only son, and
his father worth millions, he is at least
what elderly ladies call good CATCH
"He puts up his fascination along
with his courtesy, and leaves both at
home when he travels" said the girl.
"Lucy Lucy!" cried her father,
"some thoughts had better be left un-
spoken"
The conversation turned into other
channels. But the old farmer still
pursued his inquiries in an artful way.
There is strong thirst for information
in the rural mind, but in this instance
it seemed to be personal.
At last the elegant Jim POulder came
back from the smoking car, with a
strong narcotian aroma shedding itself
from his person. He brought some-
thing more with him. His voice had
that thickness which told of the drain
ing of his pocket-fask. He was jolly
and confidential.
"Sorry, old fellow to have left you
so long. Been bored to death for want
of company, haven't you 2"
"Oh, no! l have enjoyed very
pleasant conversation with our genial
neighbor over the way"
"Genial! Well, of all the queer
chaps for picking up low acquain-
tances, you beat 'em, and give 'em six
in the game"
"Ssh They'll hear you"
"Let 'em, who cares going to stop
at the junction 2"
NJ, DI0I0 10 Oh OilC hui 50 SOIb vi COD-
Meeting train, | learn, and | shall push
on to GrifftOn at once"
81 shan't. I'll lie over for a day.
Pm sort of worn out, and I'll come
over tomorrow as fresh as a daisy.
Hope you'll have good time among
the cheese and candles. 1 intend to
look in on you before 1 leave and see
how doth the little busy bee improve
each shining hour"
"Thank you you're very kind"
The brakeman craned his neck in
the door, and uttered some sounds, ap-
parently "Grittin Juxsh'n," which the
experienced ear understood to be Griff-
ton Junction, and the travellers for
that point left the cars. POulder made
his way, with his luggage, to the little
hotel there, while the farmer and
daughter, followed by Boiling, made
theirs to the single car, with little
superanuated engine attached, which
stood waiting. There were no other
passengers, and the three had the car
to themselves.
"COme over here, Mr.. Boiling" said
the old man, after the car had been in
motion a while, 81 want to talk with
you a bit. Turn down the seat. That
will do. You said you had letter for
Judge Carter, and didn't intend to de-
liver it."
eyes, SIR"
"Did it never occur to you, young
man, that it was your duty to obey a
fathers orders 2"
81 trust, sir, that Pm usually obe-
dent. 1t was not positive order. l
oh m 70, hin, nd in -
81 tell you that you should deliver
that letter to it's proper owner. You
are only trustee in the case. 1 am
Judge Carter, and this is my daughter,
Lucy. Hand over the papers to the
court"
81 beg pardon, sir but /"
"YOu want Identification. Here,
Tell this young gentleman
who 1 am"
"Judge Carter" responded the func-
little curious to know what
it was all about.
"Thank you, Philips. That'll do.
Now, SIR"
Boiling, not little astonished, took
the letter from his pocket book.
'If you'll permit me-" said the judge,
as he opened the letter, and glanced
over the contents. "He gives you a
good character and wants me to look
after you little. All, how time flies
Lucy, this young fellows father and 1
had such good times in the old days.
How long did you read law, Boiling Q"
ga little over two years, sir"
"Like it7n
every much indeed"
"Whom did you read with Z"
"Spence g. Sullivan"
"GoOd men. Sullivan put you
through the office business, 1 fancy;
that's his way. Now, I've been put
ting you through an exhaustive exam
inatiOn, which is my way, and 1 think